Wanderlust World Wanderlust World There are dozens of options for a self-guided walking tour of San Francisco. Get started in the Presidio neighborhood, touring sites related to the 1906 earthquake. Learn about the 200,000 people who were left homeless after the quake and the Army's role in caring for them. Walk the Marina District and see examples of Art Deco architecture, popular during the 1930s and 1940s, including the shops on Chestnut Street.
Explore the Haight-Ashbury area, once a Victorian-era resort now full of gingerbread homes. The Castro neighborhood once consisted of dairy farms and dirt roads. It's now one of San Francisco's most stylish neighborhoods, filled with restaurants, shops and bars.
Don't forget to walk through Chinatown and explore the side streets and alleys that hold sewing shops, churches and family associations. Check out shops selling vegetables, jewelry and Chinese medicinal herbs. Before you retire your walking shoes, take a stroll through Nob Hill, once home to railroad and silver kings who built rococo mansions. Stroll through Fisherman's Wharf and cross the Golden Gate Bridge and see the views from mid-span.
One of the most popular bike trips in the city is to take the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and Tiburon. Take the ferry on the return trip. The National Park Bike Path will take you from Fisherman's Wharf to the bridge. Cross the bridge on the sidewalk, then coast into Sausalito. You can also tour Angel Island State Park on a bicycle. No public motor vehicles are allowed here so it's a great spot for bikers. Take the Blue and Gold ferry to the island. Start the trip at Ayala Cove and take the five-mile ride to Perimeter Road while viewing the bay and city skyline. There are more than 13 miles of trails and fire roads on the island.
This is a unique way to explore San Francisco on your own. These GPS-guided cars (see References) include a virtual guide that points out city highlights as you drive. The talking car navigates and shows you the route while telling stories behind what you're seeing. You can stop to take pictures or grab a bite to eat; the tour is done at your leisure.